Trafficking in Human Beings in Southeastern Europe - Iom

Trafficking in Human Beingsin Southeastern EuropeRepublic ofSerbia(excludingKosovo)2.5. Guidelines for a referral mechanism for traffickedwomen and children in FRYOSCE, together with the Working Group on Victims Assistance has developed“Guidelines for a referral mechanism on Trafficked Persons in the FRY”. Theseguidelines describe the system of identifying the trafficked woman, and thesupport which should be given to her. Identification is going to be carried outby the representatives of government, international organisations and NGOsduring the clearing and referral process. The system includes all traffickedwomen, regardless of their initial wish to stay or to leave the country, givingthem the possibility, once they are under protection, to decide if they want:(1) to return to the country of origin; (2) seek asylum; or (3) be a witness incriminal procedures against traffickers.Once the clearing and referral point has identified the needs of the victim, sheis transferred to the women’s shelter or a specialised orphanage, where shecan receive assistance in the form of safe accommodation, long term counselling,legal consultation and preparation for the next steps.The guidelines also suggest that before the victim is sent back to her countryof origin, all the partners should be involved in preparing reintegration measuresand safe conditions for return. The victims who take part in the IOM safereturn programme should be able to receive on return to their country of origin(1) appropriate sheltering, (2) medical, social and psychological counselling,(2) assistance in finding job opportunities and housing, (3) protection bylaw enforcement when necessary and (4) financial support.Follow-up monitoring on the situation of the trafficked person should be establishedand agreed with the respective returnee.2.6. Legal reform and law enforcementIn June 2001, FRY signed and ratified the Palermo Convention and its two protocols97 and now is in the process of adjusting national laws to internationalstandards. In October 2001, the Federal Ministry of Justice initiated a WorkingGroup on Legal Reform, to work on the new anti-trafficking provisions. Thenew law will incorporate anti-trafficking provisions in the Criminal Code, aswell as targeting laws that provide support for trafficked persons and protectionof their rights to social welfare and education and in the media.Representatives from the Federal Ministry of the Interior are also participatingin the regional training programmes and initiatives organised within theframework of the Stability Pact Trafficking Task Force:• Regional training on law reform for experts and parliamentarians fromBalkan countries organised in Belgrade in November 2001 by theCouncil of Europe;• Regional training on Trafficking and Smuggling of Human Beingsorganised in Hungary in November 2001;• Co-operation with the SECI Centre in Bucharest, to which liaisonsofficers are to be nominated;• Co-operation with Interpol on the cases of trafficking.8496.Charged with prostitution or other crimes and sentenced for deportation.IOM’s rules andregulations do not allow the Organisation to assist either irregular migrants who do notwant to return voluntarily or Governments/Authorities in the implementation of forceddeportation acts.97.UN Convention Against Trans-national Organised Crime, Protocol on Trafficking and Protocolon Smuggling.